Layered Date Bars

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Mary Beth Rollick of Munroe Falls, OH: Thirty years ago in the small town of St. Marys, PA, the holiday custom called for "tasting the tree." During the 12 days of Christmas everyone visited all their relatives and close neighbors to sample their special homemade treats. Rollick's Aunt Mary Jane made these date bars every year and her niece has kept the recipe card in her collection since she was 12.

Total Time:
1:10

Cook:
0:30

Level:
Moderate

Yield:
32 bars

Ingredients

1 package pitted dates

0.50 c. walnuts

0.25 c. sugar

1.50 c. all-purpose flour

1.50 c. old-fashioned oats

1 c. packed brown sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

0.75 c. margarine or butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In 2-quart saucepan, heat dates, walnuts, sugar, and 1 1/4 cups water to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer, uncovered, 10 to 15 minutes, until dates are soft and mixture is thick, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

Meanwhile, in large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and baking soda. With hand, knead in margarine or butter until dough forms. Press half of dough evenly in bottom of 13" by 9" metal baking pan. Bake 15 minutes or until pale golden.